The minister, who was on an official visit to northern West Bengal, told media persons at the airport that the government has taken a number of steps to upgrade the airport.

Parrikar said Bagdogra – a town in Darjeeling district – was of significant importance as it was the gateway to the NorthEast, Bhutan and Nepal.

He said Bagdogra Airport would have 24-hour commercial flight operation as early as possible and assured that late night landing facility for civil aircrafts at Bagdogra Amay Abegin shortly.

He said the ministry was also looking into extending the terminal area and the project would be taken up if the required land was available.

The Defence Minister met representatives of Confederation of Indian Industry as also Aeight commercial operators including Indigo and Spicejet which operate from Bagdogra.

Earlier, he inaugurated the new building of Ramakrishna Shiksha Parishad (RKSP) Higher Secondary School at Darjeeling.

The school building, constructed with funding from the centre, has come up under the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration.

Parrikar, who was accompanied by Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Lok Sabha member from Darjeeling SS Ahluwalia, said that the central government has already laid a special focus on north West Bengal, the strategic location of which is immense.